LSU Vaults to No. 1 Recruiting Ranking, but Will Tigers Stay on Top?

The LSU Tigers lead the 2016 national recruiting rankings after a Wednesday-night commitment from coveted Texas defensive back Eric Monroe:

Monroe, rated second nationally among safety prospects, pushed LSU past Ohio State and Florida State on the list. The Seminoles previously occupied the No. 1 spot for a significant stretch.

"Since my freshman year, the LSU coaches have been with me every step of the way," Monroe told Shea Dixon of 247Sports. “It felt great knowing we have that top class, and it feels good to say I can be a part of helping get that top spot. LSU is building something special right now.”

The Tigers now hold 17 commitments, with 12 players carrying distinction as a 4-star recruit or better. That total of top-tier talent is only surpassed by Ohio State, though the Buckeyes don't carry a 5-star pledge (LSU has landed two of them).

Head coach Les Miles matched his lowest win total at LSU last season when the Tigers finished 8-5. It snapped a four-year streak of double-digit victories, but an occasionally frustrating fall clearly couldn't halt momentum on the recruiting trail. 

Among LSU's latest haul of high school standouts, seven are considered top-10 prospects at their respective position.

Aside from Monroe, this collection features Feleipe Franks (No. 1 dual-threat quarterback), Saivion Smith (No. 2 cornerback), Donavaughn Campbell (No. 3 offensive guard), Jamal Pettigrew (No. 6 tight end), Edwin Alexander (No. 7 defensive tackle) and Erick Fowler (No. 8 outside linebacker). 

These additions promise to bolster positions across the roster, while substantial room remains for growth within this recruiting class leading up to national signing day.

Defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence and offensive lineman Willie Allen are 5-star targets in Louisiana, while cornerback Trayvon Mullen, defensive end Emmit Gooden and linebacker Keion Joyner are among prized possibilities beyond state borders.

LSU certainly seems primed to sign a third consecutive top-five recruiting class in February. Its status atop the list remains to be seen, as several programs are also enjoying an immensely successful cycle.

Ohio State is fresh off a national championship run, and Urban Meyer rivals any recruiter in America. Florida State caught fire early, claiming a nation-high three 5-star prospects in the process.

Both teams have sights set on high-value talent moving forward and will undoubtedly add to quality stockpiles in the coming months.

Ranking	Team	Commitments	5-stars	4-stars
1	LSU	17	2	10
2	Florida State	18	3	9
3	Ohio State	16	0	13
4	Miami	22	0	10
5	Alabama	15	0	8
6	Michigan State	19	0	6
7	Georgia	12	2	5
8	Ole Miss	14	1	5
9	Michigan	16	0	6
10	UCLA	13	0	6

Longtime LSU rival Alabama may be the most intriguing contender among this top pack.

The Crimson Tide started the 2016 cycle relatively sluggishly but continue to pick up the pace and piece together another strong group, surging to fifth overall this month. Head coach Nick Saban is attempting to do the unthinkable by assembling a sixth straight top-rated recruiting class.

The possibility becomes more viable with 5-star targets like Lyndell Wilson, Ben Davis and Rashan Gary reciprocating heavy interest. As usual, LSU will face Alabama for several common targets, including Allen, Lawrence and 4-star Louisiana wide receiver Mykel Jones.

There are a few wild-card classes that could eventually threaten LSU as things progress.

No team in top-10 rankings holds fewer commitments than Georgia (12) at this stage, but the Bulldogs rate seventh thanks to outstanding value among their pledges (two 5-stars and five 4-stars). It's another loaded class in the Peach State this year, and head coach Mark Richt is in solid position with many of those premier prospects.

Michigan failed to land a single 2016 commit during the first 14 weeks of head coach Jim Harbaugh's tenure. That situation shifted drastically this spring, and Michigan now sits ninth on the list with 10 pledges in June alone.

Don't underestimate Harbaugh's widespread appeal to high school athletes who've watched him win plenty of meaningful NFL games in recent years. A strong start to his first season in Ann Arbor could set off a series of major recruiting moves for the Wolverines.

Ultimately, Ohio State is the biggest threat to knock LSU off the mountaintop.

The Buckeyes are riding high on the recruiting trail and figure to receive more national exposure than anyone this fall, considering their champion status and a collection of potential Heisman Trophy candidates.

LSU deserves a lot of credit for unseating Florida State, but its stay at No. 1 may be temporary.

Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.